Everyone wants a reliable motorcycle, but if you’re looking for an adventure bike, reliability is one of the top priorities. You don’t want your bike to die in the middle of nowhere without cell reception or civilization. Your adventure bike must get you home without giving you a backache or a headache, and at the same time, it must be easy to work on just in case something breaks or comes loose on your rides.
But that’s not all. If you’re an adventurer, you are probably looking for a bike that can last you a long time — for some bikers, an adventure bike will be the only bike they’ll own. So, the adventure bike you pick must be not only reliable in the short term but also bulletproof. It should stand the test of time, and despite years of wear and tear, it should still ride on with basic maintenance. If that sounds like a bike you want, you’re in luck with these ten adventure motorcycles built to last a lifetime.
10 KTM 990 Adventure
Wait, a KTM on a list of reliable motorcycles — are we dreaming? Nope, the KTM 990 Adventure may be one of the few reliable motorcycles that KTM has ever built, and it is also the brand’s greatest ADV to date. The 990 Adventure is a result of KTM’s endurance and rally events, and it can take you where you want to go without breaking down. Even if it does break down, it’s quite a simple machine to work on. It’s still got a few niggles, but if you take care of it, this bike will easily last you a lifetime. Just make sure you don’t pick one of the KTM 990 Lemons — you’ll regret that one.
KTM 990 Adventure Reliability
- KTM 990 Adventure Service Interval: 4,600 miles
- Common problems: FI malfunctions, water pump seals, and clutch slave cylinder
- Best KTM 990 Adventure to buy: the 2006 950 Adventure or the 2009 LC8 990 Adventure
9 Royal Enfield Himalayan
The Royal Enfield Himalayan’s first generation was riddled with problems and failures, but Royal Enfield has gradually brought the Himalayan to modern standards in terms of quality and reliability. Everyone loves the Himalayan; it’s one of the most capable bare-bones adventure bikes out there, and while it may not be the fastest of the lot, it makes up for it by being a joy to ride. Yes, it has some common issues, but we think the Himalayan can last a lifetime because it is so easy to fix. If you drop it, the parts are cheap, and if it breaks down, even a tuk-tuk mechanic can find their way around the bike and fix it, and you wouldn’t mind throwing this bike around, either.
Royal Enfield Himalayan Reliability
- Service intervals: 3,000 miles
- Common problems: rust, head bearing issues, fogging instrument cluster, oil leakage, engine knocking, stalling, questionable build quality
- Best Himalayan year to buy used: the latest one you can get your hands on, avoid first edition models
8 Kawasaki Versys 650
The Kawasaki Versys 650 has undergone massive changes recently, but its twin-cylinder engine has remained the same. And that is what makes this road-oriented adventure tourer such a good motorcycle — the engine has been tried and tested for years and is in its most efficient, reliable state of tune. The Versys 650 is made with long-term use in mind, and with regular service, the bike can last for over 75,000 miles without any major failure. The only thing you’re compromising on the Versys 650 is off-roadability, but this bike can handle some rough roads with the proper mods and tires. But on the bright side, it’s one of the most versatile bikes on the market.
Kawasaki Versys 650 Reliability
- Service intervals: 7,500 miles
- Common problems: water pump leaking, rattling noise in the gauge cluster, vibration, power delivery problem, electrical niggles
- Best Versys 650 year to buy used: 2020
7 BMW F 800 GS
Many bikers found the R 1150 GS heavy and unyielding; for them, BMW offered a slimmer, lighter ADV in the form of the F 800 GS. It used the same parallel twin engine from the F 800 R, but paired with a long-travel suspension and bigger wheels, it turned into a mighty adventure bike that could take you anywhere. While many believe BMW bikes are unreliable, the brand makes some of the most reliable European bikes, and the F 800 GS is one of them. It’s built on a reliable, proven platform that will take care of you more than you have to take care of it.
BMW F 800 GS Reliability
- Service intervals: 6,000 miles
- Common problems: ABS malfunction, battery drains, engine bolt corrosion, minor head stock bearing issues
- Best F 800 GS year to buy used: 2012
6 Suzuki V-Strom 650
The V-Strom 650 is to adventure bikes what the SV650 is to naked bikes — perfectly capable and versatile yet massively underrated. And just like its naked sibling, the V-Strom 650 is one of the most reliable bikes you can ever buy as they use the same platform and engine. The V-Strom 650 is closer to the Versys 650 than the Tenere 700, but it’s a good midway point if you want something that can handle both highways and rough roads. Pick the V-Strom 650 up, and you may never have to buy another bike after this one; it’s a rugged motorcycle that can stand the test of time for over 100,000 miles.
Suzuki V-Strom 650 Reliability
- Service intervals: 3,500 miles
- Common problems: Electrical connection problems, ABS pump connection corrosion, sticky throttle linkages, stator failure, headlights burning out
- Best V-Strom 650 year to buy used: anything after 2012
5 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro
The Triumph Tiger line of adventure motorcycles is fantastic, and perhaps the best of them is the Tiger 900 Rally Pro. From the white trellis frame to the rally-inspired components, the Tiger 900 Rally Pro screams adventure unlike any other Tiger. This bike has excellent suspension, good ground clearance, a lower center of gravity, a linear inline-three engine, and a capable chassis that can handle everything from rough roads to interstate highways. This polished British specimen has a premium build quality, and owners claim this bike to be extremely reliable as long as it’s well taken care of.
Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro Reliability
- Service intervals: 6,000 miles
- Common problems: self-canceling blinkers shutting off prematurely, hard to cold start, occasional stalls, shot valve inspection interval
- Best Tiger 900 Rally Pro year to buy used: any model year
4 Yamaha Tenere 700
The Yamaha Tenere 700 has changed how we look at adventure bikes; it’s not about being the biggest or the most tech-savvy but has all the brawn where it matters the most. The CP2 engine, capable suspension, massive wheels, and an agile chassis make the Tenere 700 one of the most capable adventure bikes we’ve ever seen. And when it comes to reliability, it’s not far behind the best; the CP2 engine is proven in MT-07 and YZF-R7 — it’s one of the most reliable motorcycle engines ever made with the least failures. The only recall the Tenere 700 has ever faced is for its rear reflector, which didn’t reflect enough light; it goes to show how reliable the bike is.
Yamaha Tenere 700 Reliability
- Service intervals: 4,000 miles
- Common problems: wheel spokes corrosion, paint quality concerns, rattling noise, occasional shut-offs
- Best Tenere 700 year to buy used: 2021
3 Honda Africa Twin
If your heart wants the R 1250 GS, but your mind is pulling you towards a Tenere 700, you need the Honda Africa Twin. It’s the most capable full-size adventure bike that comes with all the bells and whistles without compromising reliability. It’s a Honda. Whether you consider the CRF1000L or the CRF1100L, the recent variants of the Africa Twin are extremely reliable motorcycles. There have been a few recalls, but the problems have been ironed out now, and with minimal maintenance and care, the Africa Twin can take you around the world without needing major repairs.
Honda Africa Twin Reliability
- Service intervals: 4,000 miles
- Common problems: battery drains, rough idling, stalling, front suspension sticking in base models, fuel filter recall, wheel assembly, and bolt corrosion
- Best Africa Twin year to buy used: 2018, 2019, and 2022
2 BMW R 1250 GS
The BMW R 1250 GS is the holy grail of adventure motorcycles, so it’s no surprise it’s #2 on this list. The R 1250 GS is what you get when you want the best the ADV segment has to offer; it’s got the performance, the tech, the best components, and everything you never knew you needed from your adventure bike. This is also one of the BMW bikes that are super reliable and easy to work on, thanks to the boxer engine, and you can fix this even on the side of the road as long as you can get the spares from Germany to wherever you are. Their reliability and comfort attract so many adventure bikers for their round-the-world expeditions.
BMW R 1250 GS Reliability
- Service intervals: 6,000 miles
- Common problems: fork issues, water pump leaks, occasional limp mode, faulty kill switch
- Best R 1250 GS year to buy used: 2021 and beyond
1 Kawasaki KLR 650
The Kawasaki KLR 650, whether you pick the first-gen model or a new and shiny one, has stayed essentially unchanged. Yes, the bike has seen major upgrades over the years, but underneath it all, it’s still an ultra-reliable single-cylinder adventure bike that’s only improved with time. It’s the most bulletproof adventure bike money can buy; it’s so reliable even the US Military used it for a few years. The only problem you may face with your KLR 650 is the infamous ‘doohickey,’ but it’s an easy fix, so nothing to worry about. Otherwise, feel free to abuse this motorcycle; it will probably outlast you.
Kawasaki KLR 650 Reliability
- Service intervals: 7,500 miles
- Common problems: the doohickey, weak subframe bolts if carrying luggage, lousy piston rings, wiring harness problems in older models
- Best KLR 650 year to buy used: post-2010 models